I am new to this and am trying to create an excel sheet in which I can insert any equation in terms of x into a specific cell, and then in a different cell substitute any number into that equation for x, but I'm running into some problems.
For example, I insert x+3 into A1, and then in A2 I type the formula =SUBSTITUTE(A1,"x",3). This produces the result of 3+3 in A2. 3+3 is now a text string, and I don't know how to turn it into a number. All help is appreciated.
Why not use the sum feature of Excel.
In Cell A1 type =A2 + 3
In Cell A2 type 3
Cell A1 will now calculate to 6
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A1 should stay as x+3. I want to type a formula into A2 so that I can substitute 3 for x and then calculate to 6. I should be able to do the same formula in other cells with different substitutions and get a result as well.
that is exactly what I suggested. I think you are missing the point of how Excel works. You do not write algebraic formulas into cells and substitute, you create formulas using the cells. I have tried various tricks that I am aware of that converts text that look like numbers to values and all fail.
The substitute function is a text function and I don't think will ever work as you would like.
Ok, that makes sense, I probably shouldn't have used 3 for both numbers in my example. What you just explained is how I currently have it, I was just trying to see if I could do it another way. Thanks for your help.
Try this:
x+3 =IF(LEFT(A1,1)="X",3)+RIGHT(A1,FIND("+",A1))
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Ok, this works for any equation of the form x+c, where c is any constant, but what if I wanted to more complex equations?
I wish I could guess what complex equations you have in mind, but I can't.
anything from x+1 to 5*(x)^3-3*(x)^2+1
...If you don't mind using undocumented functions that are actually macros that have spotty support, then Jon Wittwer's EVALUATE function does this. I grabbed it and played with it a little, it works as advertised but I didn't really understand what was happening; but it's pretty much, exactly what OP is asking for.
Thanks, that was exactly what I was looking for.
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